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Grand Challenges Special Initiatives (closed)

Grants of up to £10,000 for innovative, cross-disciplinary activities that generate societal impact under the themes of the UN SDGs, Place & Displacement, Food Security, and the Climate Crisis.

Special Initiative Funding for AY 2022 to 2023

1 August 2022

Call closed


The call for applications for 2022-23 is now closed. 

Purpose of the scheme


Annually, UCL's Grand Challenges programme identifies major cross-cutting themes for strategic support resonating with the priorities of all six individual GC strands.

In 2022-23 the special initiatives will address the themes of:

  • Place & Displacement
  • Food Security
  • Climate Crisis
  • UN SDGs: Pathways to Achievement. 

Applicants can apply for a maximum of £10,000 to support projects/initiatives that are cross-boundary and generate societal impact. All funding must be spent and invoiced by 31 July 2023.

More information about each of the thematic calls and eligibility guidelines is available below:
N.B. If the links in the pdf documents don't work, please try refreshing the page.

UN SDGs: Pathways to Achievement

Download the UN SDGs call guidance

2022-23 Call Outline


Funding cannot be used for staff or teaching buy-out, however awards can be utilised for funding RA salary costs. Awards can be used to support cross-disciplinary and cross-boundary (UCL staff linking with non-academic, civil society partners) projects and activities that generate societal impacts, this may include (but is not limited to): 

  • Research or policy workshops
  • Symposia or conferences
  • Reports
  • Articles or comment pieces in peer publications or media channels
  • Preparatory or exploratory research towards larger grant applications
  • Public and community engagement activities
  • Videos and reports focused on policy 
  • Research-led performance/public art-based outputs, including documentary films

Applicants can be a combination of: 

  • Members of UCL staff
  • UCL students
  • External academic partners
  • Non-academic partners

Please Note:

  • Applications must nominate a first applicant, who will act as the point of contact for communications and financial/budget transactions. This must be a member of UCL staff.
  • If the second applicant is also from UCL, they must be based in a faculty or unit that is different from the first applicant.
  • Applications should be made using the online system. If you have any accessibilty requirements and require an alternative process, please contact the Grand Challenges team.

If you have questions regarding the initiatives or submission guidelines please contact Dr James Paskins.

How to apply


The application process is currently closed. If you have any further questions, please contact the Grand Challenges team.

See related funded projects


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